Mom charged in helping son avoid capture by BPD

By Rupert Howell
Another person has been charged with accessory after the fact to capital murder of Roary Ledell Thomas according to Batesville Assistant Police Chief Kerry Pittman.
Denise Lachelle Strong, mother of Codarius Strong charged with capital murder,  was charged Wednesday morning and put under $250,000 bond.
She had told Municipal Judge Jay Westfaul in court May 31 that she would be speaking to an attorney regarding her daughter’s $250,000 bond. Her daughter, Tanisha Strong, was arrested May 24 and faces similar charges and has already had an initial appearance.
The charges stem from the death of Thomas who died where he had been shot as he sat in a parked car March 2 near Bradford Street in Batesville.
Strong, 16, at the time of the shooting, was identified as a suspect as was Nakia Lamar, 18, of Sardis. Both have been charged with capital murder.
James E. Armstead, Jr., 18, of 14312 Ballentine Road has also been charged with accessory after the fact to capital murder after allegedly assisting Strong in alluding law enforcement officials.
“This charge carries a maximum 20 years in the state penitentiary,” Judge Westfaul warned Armstead during his initial appearance. Thus far Armstead, Tanisha Strong sister of Cordarius and his mother Denise L. Strong as well as a cousin, Lashaundra M. Clark have all been charged with accessory after the fact to capital murder.
Pittman earlier indicated that all who assisted Strong allude law enforcement for almost three months will be prosecuted.